IRISH AFFAIRS.

Ashburton Guardian, Issue 9284, 20 April 1920, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

THE DERBY RIOTS.

(Per Press Association Copyright.) LONDON, April 19. "What is described as the most wicked riot ever known in Derry began on Saturday night and lasted many hours. It arose as the result of Wednesday's affray, when the troops fired on the crowd, which caused fierce indignation. In some quarters of the town notices were posted on the walls warning the" soldiers to expect vengeance and warning civilians to discontinue friendly re- ) iations with the police. A band o youths started hostilities at eight o'clock, attacking two soldiers in Ridge Street, which was the scene of 'Wednesday's shooting. The soldiers were roughly handled before they took refuge in the Soldiers' Club in Carlisle Street. The crowd smashed the ■ doors and windows with iron bars, and a desperate fight took place inside, chairs and other furniture being used as weapons. Eventually the soldiers won. They expelled the raiders, and erected defensive barricades. Meanwhile, individuals who attempted to reach the club were waylaid, and one was removed to the hospital. The local police were unable tp cope with the fight, and large reinforcements were drawn from various quarters of the towm These suddenly appeared on the scene and were ordered tp clear the street. They were successful momentarily, but the crowd, emboldened, returned to the fray and'rained stones, bolts and bottles on the police. A number'of revolver shots, apparently from the crowd,' caused a temporary panic. The police drew bayonets and charged. They drove the mob pell mell down the street, but shots became so frequent that the police fired two warning volleys in the air. Two hundred Dorsets arrived, and the crowds were then overawed.

Meanwhile a violent faction fight was proceeding at Ferry Quay Gate, which lasted three hours. The police made numerous; bayonet charges and separated Unionists .and Sinn Feiners.

When the rioting in these areas was suppressed, a signal light in the sky notified an attack on the Leckey Road Barracks. All the police who could be spared, rushed in that direction, followed by 50 troops at the double. A sergeant and five constables held the barracks against a determined and well-planned attack. Decoy messages failed to lure the defenders afield. The attackers freely used revolvers and boulders, but the police, behind sandbags, drove them out of range. All the defenders were slightly wounded. Eleven civilians have been taken to the hospital.